Should You Install Solar Panels on Your Home?

Installing solar panels can lower your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase your home’s value. With Oklahoma’s sunny climate, solar power may be a smart investment for long-term savings and energy independence.

If you’ve been considering solar panels for your new home, you’re not alone;over 4 million US homes have rooftop solar panelsandmore than 14,500 homes in Oklahoma are powered by solar energy, with more and more homeowners considering solar as a way to save on energy costs, reduce environmental impact, and gain a bit of relief from utility bills. 

As one of the sunniest states in the U.S., boasting an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, Oklahoma is the perfect place to consider solar energy as a way to power your home, and for more than 30 years, Home Creations has been Oklahoma’s leader in building beautiful, energy-efficient homes that include solar panels in their standard designs. All Home Creations homes are wired and ready to partner with EightTwenty, an Oklahoma City-based solar company committed to making solar power more affordable and accessible to more Oklahomans, so our homeowners have more opportunities to nearly eliminate their monthly utility expenses.

The Science of Solar Panels

Solar panels transform sunlight into electricity through a process called photovoltaic conversion. 

Here’s how: 

1. Sunlight hits the solar panels on your roof, producing an electric current. 

2. An inverter converts that electric current from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), making it ready to power items in your home. 

3. That AC electricity is distributed via wires to the home’s electric panel or breaker box, where it is now accessible for your use.

4. Excess electricity is stored in a battery for later use, or sent back to the grid.

During peak daylight, solar panels can often produce enough energy–roughly 300 watts per hour–to cover all your electric needs, lowering your reliance on electric companies. And if your system is connected to the grid, you can even send any excess energy back to the company to further offset your electricity bill.

3 Benefits of Installing Solar Panels in Oklahoma

When it comes to solar power, Oklahoma has a lot to offer. Oklahoma is ranked 7th in the nation for sunshine, and our sunny climate means that you can maximize your system’s efficiency, save on energy bills, and reduce your carbon footprint.

Here are 3 benefits of installing solar panels on your Oklahoma home.

1. Electricity Savings

Over time, solar panels can help cut down on your electricity costs significantly. Many Oklahoma homeowners see a drop in their utility bills, with some even eliminating them completely in peak solar seasons. With each month, those savings add up, helping your investment pay off faster than you might think.

2. Environmental Impact

By choosing solar, you’re doing your part to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and make a positive impact on the environment. Solar is a renewable energy source that produces no emissions — making it one of the cleanest ways to power your home.

3. Energy Independence

Oklahoma weather can be unpredictable, and during storms or grid outages, relying solely on traditional sources of electricity can be less than ideal. Solar panels combined with battery backup systems can keep your home powered even when the grid is down.

Installing Solar Panels: 6 Considerations

While solar energy is not necessarily new technology, it is still a relatively unknown option for many homeowners in Oklahoma. When determining whether or not it is worth it for you to install solar panels on your house, take these considerations into account.

1. Upfront Costs

Installing solar panels can require a substantial upfront investment, which varies based on the system size and your home’s energy needs and could be a potential barrier for some people. However, many homeowners finance this cost by securing a solar loan, which makes it easier to spread the upfront cost out.

2. Incentives and Tax Breaks

There are federal tax credits available for residents in all states who install solar panels. Homeowners can claim 30% of the cost of the system, which effectively reduces the price by nearly one-third. While Oklahoma does not offer a state-level solar rebate or incentive, net metering is available locally for many residents. Net metering allows you to sell back any extra energy you produce as a credit on your electric bill.

3. Return on Investment

With the constant rising prices of electricity, solar panels can pay for themselves within a decade or so for many homeowners. And since solar panels have a lifespan of 25 years or longer, after you pay off your initial investment solar panels can provide you with significant savings for many years.

4. Maintenance and Lifespan

Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. Once installed, they require minimal attention beyond the occasional cleaning to keep dust and debris from blocking sunlight. Most systems include warranties of around 20-25 years and come with monitoring apps that allow you to track performance and get alerted to any issues.

5. Weather Dependence

Solar power production depends on sunshine. That means on cloudy days, your system may produce less electricity. However, many Oklahoma homeowners still find solar worthwhile, given the state's typically sunny climate, and solar panels are designed to withstand all types of weather, including the high winds to hail that are also common in Oklahoma.

6. Aesthetic Impact

Some homeowners worry about the look of solar panels, but new designs have made them more streamlined and less noticeable on rooftops. Placing panels on less visible parts of your roof or coordinating with Home Creations on optimal placement can help with curb appeal.

Deciding if Solar Panels are Right for Your Oklahoma Home

Deciding on solar is a personal choice, but there are several factors that can help guide your decision, such as your:

• Energy needs.Take a look at your average monthly energy usage and consider how much you could offset with solar. Solar calculators online can help with this, or you can ask Home Creations or their solar partner,EightTwenty, for guidance.

• Budget and financing.Think about your budget and whether you want to pay upfront or look into financing options.

• Long-term goals.If your goal is to reduce your carbon footprint, save on energy, and increase your home’s value, solar can be a great choice. It’s an investment in your home and your future energy independence.

Home Creations: Helping You Go Solar with Confidence

Building a new home is the perfect time to consider adding solar panels. Installing solar as part of a new construction is typically more efficient, since it can be integrated with other energy-saving features and doesn’t require retrofitting or major adjustments.

Home Creations offers solar-ready features, helping Oklahoma homeowners add solar seamlessly to their new builds. From flexible roof designs that optimize panel placement to pre-wiring for energy-efficient systems, Home Creations makes it easy to set your home up for solar. This approach can also lower installation costs, giving you a smart, eco-friendly start from day one.

Solar panels are a big decision, but for many Oklahoma homeowners, they’re an investment that pays off in more ways than one. Between the energy savings, environmental impact, and added value to your home, solar power offers many advantages. If you’re building a new home, Home Creations can help you explore your solar options and make an informed choice that works for your needs.

Ready to take the next step?Reach outto Home Creations today to discuss solar-ready options and how they can help you start building a cleaner, greener future in Oklahoma.